Local artists, along with the ArtForms Artists Association of New Mexico, will launch the annual For the Love of Art (FLOA) month in 2026. This celebration of art takes place every February and features studio tours and a range of art events.
The group works with art galleries, artist studios, and creative spaces across town to celebrate the arts. Each year, many of these venues take part with special exhibits that highlight the diversity, history, and culture of art in Southern New Mexico. The event is open to everyone, with opportunities to explore and discover something new at every stop.
Event Details
- Dates: February 6 through February 28, 2026
- Locations: 30, throughout the area
- Member Show Location: The HOOD, located at 3206 Harrelson St, Las Cruces, NM
- Website: ArtForms Artists Association
- Contact: President Karen Conley at 314-704-9445 or email the association at artformsnm@gmail.com.
For the Love of Art Month Exhibitions and Studio Tours
In 2026, the member show will be held at The HOOD, located at 3206 Harrelson St, Las Cruces, NM. This venue is new for the organization. The show opens on February 6, 2026, and runs through February 28, 2026. Artwork will be judged, and awards will be presented during the opening.
Studio Tours take place Saturdays and Sundays in February at artists’ studios and select locations where their work is displayed. The tours give visitors an opportunity to meet artists, talk about their work, and purchase pieces directly from them. Artists choose the weekends that work best for their schedules, and a full tour calendar is available online and in the printed For the Love of Art Month guide. Blue flags mark each participating location.
A full schedule of all locations is online and in the printed For the Love of Art Month guide. Look for the blue flags marking each location when you’re driving around visiting studios.
ArtForms President Karen Conley said, “We have seen an uptick in new membership over the past few months. Overall, the artwork we are seeing from our members is stellar. We are really excited about February!”
For the Love of Art Month events
This year’s Studio Tours include 30 locations, with artists collaborating at 19 of them. Tours run every weekend in February, primarily at the studios where artists create their work. Visitors can meet artists, learn about their process, and buy artwork on site. Each location is marked with a blue flag, and a QR code links to an interactive map to help visitors navigate the tour. A complete list of locations is available online and in the FLOA guide.
Conley said the collaborative approach was encouraged again this year after positive feedback from last year’s tours, which allowed patrons to see more artists while traveling to fewer locations. Participating artists include Nancy Begin, Rokoko, Robert Highsmith, Chris Kemler, Dina D’Argo, Jim Rodgers, Noël Sandino, Chris Bardey, and many others.
ArtForms Awards
Every year, the organization presents two awards. This year, the Member of the Year award goes to Rhonda Sprague, who has revamped the banking and payment processes, bringing ArtForms into the 21st century. Thanks to her efforts, members can now manage everything online.
The Friend of the Arts award goes to Lucy Araiza, a Las Cruces Public School art teacher. Since 2022, she has consistently participated in community art projects, enhancing her students’ artistic experiences. Additionally, the organization is honoring two local photographers who have passed away: Mel Stone and Sterling Trantham.
FLOA Sponsors
“We could not host this event without the support of our sponsors,” Conley emphasized. “We have many that continue to support us each year, and we gain a few new ones each year. We promote them in the guide, on our webpage, and on social media.”
“We must continue to support the art community. We have both established artists and emerging talent, and an event like For the Love of Art provides an opportunity to celebrate the artistic talent in the Las Cruces area,” said Greg Groves, the owner of Rio Grande Fine Art and the Picture Frame Outlet. “A great deal of effort goes into organizing this event, and we always hope to attract more patrons to the area.”
ArtForms has proudly sponsored For the Love of Art (FLOA) for over 26 years, inviting the community to set aside time each February to create art and engage with a wide range of artistic work. A comprehensive guide to all FLOA activities is available both in print and online at the ArtForms website, artformsnm.org. The guide includes studio tour listings and a list of other art events and exhibitions around town. For more information, please email artformsnm@gmail.com or call Karen Conley at 314-704-9445.
Plan to Attend!
From traditional media to cutting-edge experimentation, the full array of works under the umbrella term “art” is explored and presented, making it a unique experience for art collectors, patrons, and everyday people interested in creative expression. To find out more, you can check out the ArtForms Facebook page or their website.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 ArtForms Member Show?
The 2026 ArtForms Member Show is held at The HOOD, located at 3206 Harrelson St, Las Cruces, NM, from February 6 through February 28. This exhibition marks the first time the organization has utilized this specific venue. The show officially opens on February 6, 2026, with an opening reception where artwork is professionally judged, and awards are presented to participating members.
Visitors to the Member Show can expect to see an impressive array of media highlighting the unique history and culture of Southern New Mexico. Because the show runs for the entire month of February, it serves as a central hub for the For the Love of Art celebrations. The HOOD provides a fresh, creative space for the community to gather and appreciate the stellar artwork produced by the growing ArtForms membership.
How do I participate in the 2026 Studio Tours?
The Studio Tours take place every Saturday and Sunday in February at various artists’ studios and creative spaces throughout the region. Participation is free and open to the public, allowing visitors to meet artists in their working environments, learn about their creative processes, and buy art directly. To participate, visitors should look for the signature blue flags marking each official tour location throughout the city.
Since artists choose which weekends to open their doors based on their personal schedules, it is essential to consult the official tour calendar. This schedule is available in the printed For the Love of Art Month guide and on the ArtForms website. Navigating the tour is made easier this year with an interactive map accessible via QR codes found at each location, to easily spot the 30 participating tour sites.
What are the benefits of the collaborative studio locations?
Collaborative studio locations are sites where multiple artists gather to show their work in a single space, and this year, 19 of the 30 tour stops follow this model. ArtForms President Karen Conley noted that this approach was encouraged again after receiving positive feedback from patrons who enjoyed seeing more artists while traveling to fewer physical locations. These hubs create a lively, high-energy environment for both the creators and the visitors.
Featured artists participating in these tours include Nancy Begin, Rokoko, Robert Highsmith, Chris Kemler, Dina D’Argo, Jim Rodgers, Noël Sandino, and Chris Bardey. By visiting these collaborative sites, you can engage with different media styles in one stop. This format is especially helpful for first-time attendees or those with limited time who want to maximize their exposure to the Las Cruces art scene during the weekend events.
Who is being recognized with ArtForms awards in 2026?
Each year, ArtForms presents two major awards to individuals who have significantly impacted the local art community. The 2026 Member of the Year award goes to Rhonda Sprague, who is credited with modernizing the organization’s financial infrastructure. Her efforts in revamping banking and payment processes have allowed members to manage their registrations and payments entirely online, bringing the 26-year-old organization into the 21st century.
The Friend of the Arts award is presented to Lucy Araiza, a dedicated art teacher within the Las Cruces Public Schools. Since 2022, she has been a consistent partner in community art projects, enriching the artistic education and experiences of her students. Additionally, the 2026 program includes a special memorial tribute to two influential local photographers who recently passed away: Mel Stone and Sterling Trantham, honoring their long-standing contributions to the Southern New Mexico art world.
How can I find more information about FLOA sponsors and events?
Complete information regarding For the Love of Art Month is available in the official printed guide and online at artformsnm.org. The organization relies heavily on the support of local sponsors, such as Rio Grande Fine Art and the Picture Frame Outlet, to host these events. These sponsors are recognized in the guide, on social media, and on the ArtForms webpage as a thank you for their commitment to the local creative economy.
If you have specific questions about the events or wish to get involved with the organization, you can contact President Karen Conley at 314-704-9445 or email the association at artformsnm@gmail.com. You can also follow the ArtForms Facebook page for real-time updates on exhibitions, award winners, and studio tour highlights throughout February. The guide serves as the definitive resource for all 2026 locations, maps, and schedules.
Posted by LasCruces.com
